ABSTRACT
The term system, when used in the digital design domain, implies many different entities. A system can consist of a processor, memory, and input/output, all on a single integrated circuit, or it can consist of a network of processors, geographically distributed, each performing a specific application. There can be a single clock, with modules communicating synchronously, multiple clocks with asynchronous communication, or an entirely asynchronous operation. The design can be general, or specific to a given application, i.e., application-specific. Together, the previously mentioned variations constitute the system style. To a great extent, system style selection is determined by the physical technologies used, the environment in which the system operates, designer experience, and corporate culture, and is not automated to any great extent.
